Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580
60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67


64 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched June 2013
- Previous Model is Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed May 2011
- Succeeded the Sony A100

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Overview
The following is a extended review of the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The K-5 II was announced 2 years after the A580 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-5 II scores against the A580 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-5 II and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-5 II Gallery and Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony A580
K-5 II | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | May 2011 | Newer by 25 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax K-5 II
A580 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580
K-5 II | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II provides external dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Sony A580 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Examine the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-5 II compared to the A580.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 II and A580 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 II and A580.
As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher K-5 II will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Specifications
Pentax K-5 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-5 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2013-06-04 | 2011-05-26 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 51200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross focus points | 9 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 760g (1.68 lb) | 599g (1.32 lb) |
Dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 82 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.8 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.1 | 13.3 |
DXO Low light score | 1235 | 1121 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 images | 1050 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | Two |
Pricing at release | $830 | $848 |